MIAMI — Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday morning along with health officials at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to discuss the latest developments on the coronavirus cases in Florida.
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The Florida Department of Health on Thursday confirmed four new COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State.
The cases include a 57-year-old man in Lee County, a 68-year-old man in Seminole County, a 65-year-old man in Broward County and a 61-year-old man in Broward County.
Health officials said the 61-year-old man’s case is travel-related and is associated with Port Everglades. The Seminole County case is also travel-related and associated with a Nile River cruise/tour in Egypt.
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It’s unclear whether the other two cases are travel-related.
Before the Seminole County case was announced Thursday afternoon, DeSantis said there were 34 Florida-related coronavirus cases. He said 31 patients are residents and three are non-residents.
A total of 26 patients were diagnosed while in Florida, while five residents were diagnosed and isolated in another state.
Two people in Florida have died from COVID-19. The governor said both patients were elderly and had pre-existing health conditions.
DeSantis cautioned the public to increase social distancing and said he has recommended individuals, companies and organizations to limit mass gatherings.
The governor said he does not have the authority to order the cancellation of all mass gatherings, but said if events aren’t canceled, organized screening methods should be put in place.
“For example, before entering an attendee should be asked if they’re sick or have been in contact not only with somebody from one of these foreign countries that have seen outbreaks, but places here in the state of Florida, such as the cruise ship terminals,” he said.
He has also suspended visitation at state prisons for 30 days. Legal-related visits will not be impacted.
On Thursday, he also suspended all official travel for state employees and asked state agencies to have employees work from home if possible.
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